Insurance Sales Team
Jack Dowd, CIC
Vice President and Partner
P: 413-437-1075
F: 413-437-1475
[email protected]
Jack Dowd.vcf
John E. “Jack” Dowd III represents the fifth generation of the Dowd family to be employed at The Dowd Insurance Agencies. He graduated from Saint Michael’s College with a B.S. in business administration and received his MBA from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business.
Jack has held several positions with Goji Insurance in Boston where he sold personal auto insurance and homeowners insurance. He was consistently among the top producers while at Goji, and was responsible for managing and training several sales teams. A Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, Jack achieved his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 2019. In addition, he has participated in the 18-month Agents Sons & Daughters Training Program for underwriting at Quincy Mutual Insurance.
In his community, Jack serves on committees for the Brightside Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He is also a member of the board of directors for Boys Scouts of America, Western Massachusetts Council, where he serves as the risk management chair. Jack resides in Longmeadow with his wife, Vanessa and son.
Evan Dowd
Vice President, Assistant Treasurer and Partner
P: 413-437-1037
F: 413-437-1437
[email protected]
Evan Dowd.vcf
Evan came aboard as an account executive in the fall of 2019, joining his brother Jack as a fifth-generation employee of The Dowd Agencies. Having previously worked for two top regional insurance companies in Boston, he gained extensive industry knowledge and brings invaluable experience in sales, claims adjustment, underwriting and other aspects of the business to his role as a commercial lines producer at Dowd.
A 2013 graduate of Bates College, Evan is a licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and is working toward his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation. Returning to his roots, he currently lives in Longmeadow.
Benjamin Wichland
Senior Regional Account Executive
P: 603-903-8589
F: 413-536-6020
[email protected]
Benjamin Wichland
As senior regional account executive for The Dowd Agencies, Benjamin Wichland leads commercial insurance growth across Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. He works closely with our Bennington and Newport offices to support mid- and large-market clients across all industries. As a generalist, it allows him to speak directly to the clients and their pain points with real-world experience.
With a focus on relationship-driven service, Ben develops new business, manages key accounts and delivers tailored insurance and risk-management solutions through Dowd’s extensive carrier network. By collaborating with regional partners, including Lonergan & Thomas LLC and Royer Camp Insurance Inc., he helps deliver on Dowd’s mission to be a trusted, local resource backed by the strength of one of New England’s most experienced insurance agencies.
Outside of work, Ben enjoys time with his wife, Erinna, and their blended family of five children—daughters Lily, Adelaide and Finley, and stepsons Max and Sam. He is especially close with his parents and sisters and considers his father his hero. Ben’s favorite pastimes include family trips, golfing and relaxing on the beach.
Michael G. Rzepka, CPCU
Senior Account Executive
P: 413-437-1006
F: 413-437-1406
[email protected]
Michael G Rzepka.vcf
Michael G. Rzepka is a senior account executive for The Dowd Insurance Agencies, concentrating on sales of commercial insurance. He has been with the Dowd team since 1991 and has more than three decades of experience working in the insurance industry.
Mike has held various positions in commercial underwriting, marketing and sales. He is a licensed insurance broker and holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriting (CPCU) designation.
Mike currently serves on the board of the Springfield Rotary Club. In 2006, he received the club’s most prestigious service award––The Paul Harris Fellow. He has also been involved in other community groups including scouting and youth sports.
When Mike is out of the office, he enjoys golf and skiing. He and his wife, Christine, reside in Longmeadow.
Wayne M. Kapinos, AAI
Account Executive
P: 413-437-1007
F: 413-437-1407
[email protected]
Wayne M Kapinos.vcf
Wayne Kapinos joined The Dowd Insurance Agencies as an Account Executive in August of 2014 with a decade of experience as an Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI).
Wayne is a resident of Wilbraham and maintains active memberships in both the Massachusetts and Connecticut chapters of Young Insurance Professionals. He is currently working on the Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) certification.
Additionally, he is well established in the local business market and regularly attends networking functions through the Young Professional Society of Springfield. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst where he received his Bachelor of Science degree and Holyoke Community College, where he earned an associate degree. Wayne is also a veteran of the United States Army (1992-1995).
David Hess
Account Executive
P: 413-437-1059
F: 413-437-1459
[email protected]
David Hess.vcf
A dedicated insurance professional who cares deeply about the overall well-being and needs of his customers, David Hess is responsible for writing personal, commercial and life insurance plans at The Dowd Agencies.
David brings over 14 years of experience to his role at Dowd. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts–Amherst (2003) and is licensed as an insurance producer for property, casualty, life and health in both Massachusetts and Connecticut.
A resident of Westfield, where he lives with his wife Meghan and their daughter and son, David has served the community as a tee ball coach, soccer coach and volunteer with the Munger Hill Elementary before-school program.
Michael J. Smith, CPCU, CIC, CSRM
Account Executive
P: 413-478-7680
F: 413-437-1470
[email protected]
MichaelJSmith.vcf
With nearly four decades of experience, Michael J. Smith joined the Dowd Agencies in 2021 after serving for 15 years as a vice president at Berkshire Insurance Group. He is a Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter, Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified School Risk Manager.
A graduate of St. John’s University in Minnesota, Michael hails from Deerfield and now lives in Westfield with his wife, with whom he shares three sons. As a former member of the board of directors for the Greenfield Community College Foundation, he still serves on several committees. He is also a member of the Westfield Babe Ruth Board of Directors, a team he led as a coach to the World Series in Seattle in 2012.
Michael remains active in coaching youth athletics, and also enjoys golfing and fishing, as well as spending time on Cape Cod with his wife, Mary Pat.
Meesh is an account executive for The Dowd Insurance Agencies, focusing on commercial insurance sales. He joined the Dowd team in 2024 and brings experience in business-to-business sales, relationship management and team leadership.
Before joining Dowd, Meesh worked as a sales representative and sales manager at Weedman Lawncare. He also served as a B2B sales consultant at Staples Business.
Meesh is committed to helping businesses protect their operations through tailored property and casualty insurance programs. He focuses on building strong client relationships, identifying coverage gaps and developing solutions that improve protection while managing costs.
A standout athlete and 1,000-point scorer at Agawam High School, Meesh continued his basketball career at Westfield State University. Away from work, he enjoys staying active and spending time with his friends & family. An avid golfer, basketball and tennis player, runner and pickleball enthusiast, Meesh lives in Feeding Hills with his family.
Benefits Sales Team
Steve Corbin
Manager, Employee Benefits
P: 413-437-1066
F: 413-437-1466
[email protected]
Steve Corbin.vcf
With nearly two decades of experience, Steve Corbin joined The Dowd Agencies in 2018 as an account executive. In his current role, he is responsible for overseeing the Employee Benefits division including managing the renewal process, negotiating with carriers, coordinating open enrollment meetings, assisting clients with changes, monitoring claims and more.
Steve attended Johnson & Wales University and served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He previously worked as an account executive with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and has been an employee benefits broker in western Massachusetts since 2014.
Serving the community as a youth coach for basketball, soccer and lacrosse, Steve is also a Grand Knight at the Knights of Columbus St. Francis of Assisi Council #10698 and a board member for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke. He lives in Belchertown with his wife, Amy, and three daughters.
R. Kirk Mackey
Senior Account Executive
P: 413-437-1028
F: 413-437-1428
[email protected]
R Kirk Mackey.vcf
Kirk Mackey is a senior account executive at Dowd Financial Services LLC. Kirk has been in the financial services business since 1979. Prior to coming to Dowd in 2005 he was a representative of New England Financial Group, LLC. He specializes in corporate employee benefits planning. This primarily includes group health, life and disability insurance plans in addition to qualified retirement plans and selective executive compensation arrangements.
Kirk received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Massachusetts (1978) and an MBA with a concentration in accounting from Western New England University (1987).
Kirk is on the board of directors at the Holyoke YMCA. He also serves on the appropriations committee for the Town of South Hadley. Kirk lives in South Hadley with his wife, Lise.
Ryan Ferriter
Financial Advisor
P: 413-437-1081
[email protected]
Ryan Ferriter.vcf
Ryan joined the Dowd Wealth team in 2022 as a Financial Advisor. He understands that every client has unique needs and works closely with his experienced team to create a comprehensive financial plan tailored to each of his client’s unique financial needs and goals.
He strongly believes in educating his clients and working closely with them to ensure their plans and goals are intact and adjusted as needed. He takes a personal interest in his clients and highly values building long lasting relationships with them.
Ryan has completed his SIE exam and holds his Series 7, Series 66, and Variable Annuity licenses, along with his Life, Accident and Health insurance licenses. He graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. Prior to joining the team at Dowd Wealth, he worked in Boston as a Project Manager on commercial construction projects where he managed the operations, and project’s finances.
Ryan lives and was born in Holyoke, where his family has lived for generations. He has great pride for and cares deeply about serving his local community. His passion for work is only matched by his love of golf and travel, and he enjoys spending his free time surrounded by his family and friends.